ESPNHS California: Girls Basketball
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
A second Mater Dei joins this week’s divisional lists as the Crusaders from Chula Vista break through in Division IV. Three other new teams this week are from the CIF North Coast Section.
This week’s divisional state rankings for girls basketball do not include any results from section playoff games from Wednesday night. They do account for games played on Tuesday night and of course through the previous weekend.
Some section playoffs will be whittled down to the final two after the upcoming weekend. All section championships will be played from Feb. 29 through March 3.
With help from Stockton office assistant editor Paul Muyskens, here is the fourth listing of girls teams this season with analysis and bubble teams for each division (records listed after section playoff games played on Tuesday, Feb. 21; previous ranking in parentheses):
CIF Division I
1. (1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 24-3
2. (2) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 26-2
3. (3) Santiago (Corona) 28-0
4. (4) Summit (Fontana) 22-3
5. (5) Berkeley 21-2
6. (6) Edison (Huntington Beach) 22-3
7. (7) Brea Olinda (Brea) 20-5
8. (8) Etiwanda 22-3
9. (9) Huntington Beach 21-4
10. (10) Narbonne (Harbor City) 25-6
11. (11) El Toro (Lake Forest) 24-2
12. (12) Troy (Fullerton) 18-7
13. (13) Rialto 24-1
14. (15) San Diego 23-5
15. (NR) Deer Valley (Antioch) 19-7
Drops: Previous No. 14 Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove).
Bubble: Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley) 20-7, Eastlake (Chula Vista) 25-3, Hanford 21-4, Heritage (Brentwood) 21-4, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 20-8, Sheldon (Sacramento) 21-7, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 24-3, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 20-2.
Comments: The lack of strong teams in the Sac-Joaquin, Central Coast and North Coast sections (other than Berkeley) means that the state final in this division could be more lopsided even than it has been in recent years. It’s not that there are no teams in the north that would be able to give Mater Dei or Long Beach Poly a tough game. It’s just that again other than possibly Berkeley none of those teams are Division I.
A second Mater Dei joins this week’s divisional lists as the Crusaders from Chula Vista break through in Division IV. Three other new teams this week are from the CIF North Coast Section.
This week’s divisional state rankings for girls basketball do not include any results from section playoff games from Wednesday night. They do account for games played on Tuesday night and of course through the previous weekend.
Some section playoffs will be whittled down to the final two after the upcoming weekend. All section championships will be played from Feb. 29 through March 3.
With help from Stockton office assistant editor Paul Muyskens, here is the fourth listing of girls teams this season with analysis and bubble teams for each division (records listed after section playoff games played on Tuesday, Feb. 21; previous ranking in parentheses):
CIF Division I
1. (1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 24-3
2. (2) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 26-2
3. (3) Santiago (Corona) 28-0
4. (4) Summit (Fontana) 22-3
5. (5) Berkeley 21-2
6. (6) Edison (Huntington Beach) 22-3
7. (7) Brea Olinda (Brea) 20-5
8. (8) Etiwanda 22-3
9. (9) Huntington Beach 21-4
10. (10) Narbonne (Harbor City) 25-6
11. (11) El Toro (Lake Forest) 24-2
12. (12) Troy (Fullerton) 18-7
13. (13) Rialto 24-1
14. (15) San Diego 23-5
15. (NR) Deer Valley (Antioch) 19-7
Drops: Previous No. 14 Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove).
Bubble: Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley) 20-7, Eastlake (Chula Vista) 25-3, Hanford 21-4, Heritage (Brentwood) 21-4, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 20-8, Sheldon (Sacramento) 21-7, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 24-3, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 20-2.
Comments: The lack of strong teams in the Sac-Joaquin, Central Coast and North Coast sections (other than Berkeley) means that the state final in this division could be more lopsided even than it has been in recent years. It’s not that there are no teams in the north that would be able to give Mater Dei or Long Beach Poly a tough game. It’s just that again other than possibly Berkeley none of those teams are Division I.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
There are no big upsets yet in any of the state’s section playoffs, but that could change by this weekend. This week’s biggest noise in the rankings comes from Archbishop Mitty of San Jose, which rolled in its league final against state-ranked St. Ignatius and had to jump into the top 15.
The Cal-Hi Sports caravan was at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills last Saturday for the West Catholic Athletic League playoff championships.
The Archbishop Mitty girls opened up the evening’s sweep by the San Jose school of both the girls and boys playoff titles with a convincing 63-47 victory over St. Ignatius of San Francisco.
In winning, coach Sue Phillips’ charges left no doubt as to who is the top team in the CIF Central Coast Section. The impressive win also enabled Mitty to jump up to No. 14 in this week’s overall state top 20.
Mitty trailed 10-7 early before going on a 17-2 run to take control. The lead got to 19 points on two occasions, and SI was never able to get closer than 13 points after trailing 52-33 early in the fourth quarter.
Monarchs’ sophomore Kelli Hayes led the way with 15 points. Senior guard Vanessa Garner had 13 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three assists. She was instrumental in taking control early and igniting the run.
Pepperdine-bound 6-foot-3 senior Amanda Lovely had a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Emily Dinger scored 11 points with three 3-pointers, including two during the 17-2 run.
“After the loss to SI and especially this week in practice we really turned it on,” said Lovely on a post-game live video feed.
The victory was the third straight playoff title and fifth overall for the Monarchs since the league adopted girls playoffs 10 years ago.
(Through games played on Saturday, Feb. 18)
(Last week’s ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Windward (Los Angeles) 25-3
To say the girls flexed their muscles in the first week of the CIF Southern Section Division 4AA playoffs would be an understatement. First, the Wildcats smothered Nipomo 98-14 in the opening round. Then, in what was a display of total firepower, they posted a 115-46 blasting of Workman (City of Industry). The point total is the equivalent of 173-points in an NBA-length game. Nationally-rated sophomores Kristen Simon and Jordin Canada had double-doubles against Workman. Simon had 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Canada had 21 points and 10 assists with six rebounds and five steals. Texas-bound 6-foot-7 Imani Stafford also had a double-double 20 points and 13 rebounds with five blocks. Coach Steve Smith’s girls will ride a nine-game winning streak into a quarterfinal game with visiting JSerra of San Juan Capistrano.
There are no big upsets yet in any of the state’s section playoffs, but that could change by this weekend. This week’s biggest noise in the rankings comes from Archbishop Mitty of San Jose, which rolled in its league final against state-ranked St. Ignatius and had to jump into the top 15.
The Cal-Hi Sports caravan was at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills last Saturday for the West Catholic Athletic League playoff championships.
The Archbishop Mitty girls opened up the evening’s sweep by the San Jose school of both the girls and boys playoff titles with a convincing 63-47 victory over St. Ignatius of San Francisco.
In winning, coach Sue Phillips’ charges left no doubt as to who is the top team in the CIF Central Coast Section. The impressive win also enabled Mitty to jump up to No. 14 in this week’s overall state top 20.
Mitty trailed 10-7 early before going on a 17-2 run to take control. The lead got to 19 points on two occasions, and SI was never able to get closer than 13 points after trailing 52-33 early in the fourth quarter.
Monarchs’ sophomore Kelli Hayes led the way with 15 points. Senior guard Vanessa Garner had 13 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three assists. She was instrumental in taking control early and igniting the run.
Pepperdine-bound 6-foot-3 senior Amanda Lovely had a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Emily Dinger scored 11 points with three 3-pointers, including two during the 17-2 run.
“After the loss to SI and especially this week in practice we really turned it on,” said Lovely on a post-game live video feed.
The victory was the third straight playoff title and fifth overall for the Monarchs since the league adopted girls playoffs 10 years ago.
(Through games played on Saturday, Feb. 18)
(Last week’s ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Windward (Los Angeles) 25-3
To say the girls flexed their muscles in the first week of the CIF Southern Section Division 4AA playoffs would be an understatement. First, the Wildcats smothered Nipomo 98-14 in the opening round. Then, in what was a display of total firepower, they posted a 115-46 blasting of Workman (City of Industry). The point total is the equivalent of 173-points in an NBA-length game. Nationally-rated sophomores Kristen Simon and Jordin Canada had double-doubles against Workman. Simon had 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Canada had 21 points and 10 assists with six rebounds and five steals. Texas-bound 6-foot-7 Imani Stafford also had a double-double 20 points and 13 rebounds with five blocks. Coach Steve Smith’s girls will ride a nine-game winning streak into a quarterfinal game with visiting JSerra of San Juan Capistrano.
La Jolla Country DayUniversity of San Diego-bound senior Maya Hood of La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla, Calif.) has over 1,600 career points.Emotional leader of nation’s No. 12-ranked team ready to join 1,500-point and 1,000-rebound club. She and her twin sister are the pair to go with team’s Plum.
Maya Hood of the nationally ranked La Jolla Country Day girls basketball team near San Diego doesn’t get the hype of teammate and junior phenom Kelsey Plum, but the reality is that the 5-foot-10 senior who plays like a girl 6-foot-3 is the heart and soul of the team.
“She’s a tremendous leader, our emotional and physical leader,” said 13-year La Jolla Country Day Coach Terri Bamford of her player who is headed to the University of San Diego.
The “double-double” as Bamford calls her, or “my-oh-my” as she’s known by teammates and friends, can score and rebound as well.
Last week on Senior Night, Hood poured in 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds with three steals and two assists in a 77-25 win over league rival San Diego Horizon.
As a result of that performance, a season that shows her with eight double-doubles, and an approximate 3.3 GPA, Hood joins Plum, who won the award last year, as an ESPNHS Cal-Hi Sports State Athlete of the Week.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
Hannah Huffman heating up for Carondelet as playoffs loom. Plus, huge triple-doubles for Cajon duo along with Fresno Central’s Tina Maxwell.
Note: We’re proud once again to collect weekly writeups of the most significant individual high school basketball totals in California. We use these as the basis for updating the state record book, which has been published seven times, most recently in the spring of 2009. To report a state stat star of your own, please email highlights to Mark.Tennis@espn.com.
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 11 and some games as of Tuesday, Feb. 14; contributing: Bob Barnett, Mark Tennis)
Sophie Bhasin (Cajon, San Bernardino)
She has been a triple-double machine all year long and she had two more last week as she scored 30 points with 11 rebounds and 11assists in a 73-46 win over Arroyo Valley. She later scored 38 points to go along with 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a 77-52 win over Carter of Rialto.
Tekerra Borden & Dalonna Jones (Merced)
Borden scored 29 points while Jones recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 21 rebounds and 12 blocks as the Bears defeated Atwater 59-38.
Hannah Huffman heating up for Carondelet as playoffs loom. Plus, huge triple-doubles for Cajon duo along with Fresno Central’s Tina Maxwell.
Note: We’re proud once again to collect weekly writeups of the most significant individual high school basketball totals in California. We use these as the basis for updating the state record book, which has been published seven times, most recently in the spring of 2009. To report a state stat star of your own, please email highlights to Mark.Tennis@espn.com.
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 11 and some games as of Tuesday, Feb. 14; contributing: Bob Barnett, Mark Tennis)
Sophie Bhasin (Cajon, San Bernardino)
She has been a triple-double machine all year long and she had two more last week as she scored 30 points with 11 rebounds and 11assists in a 73-46 win over Arroyo Valley. She later scored 38 points to go along with 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a 77-52 win over Carter of Rialto.
Tekerra Borden & Dalonna Jones (Merced)
Borden scored 29 points while Jones recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 21 rebounds and 12 blocks as the Bears defeated Atwater 59-38.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
There are only four new teams this week in the five CIF divisions combined. Still No. 1 are Mater Dei of Santa Ana (D1), St. Mary’s of Stockton (D2), Bishop O’Dowd (D3), Windward (D4) and Mission Prep (D5).
Beginning this week, state-ranked teams by Cal-Hi Sports can theoretically lose in a section playoff game and see their seasons come to a quick and stunning end.
Most of the state still has one week to go in the regular season, but the massive CIF Southern Section will begin to pare down teams this week.
Here is the third listing of girls teams this season with analysis and bubble teams for each division (records listed after games of Feb. 11 with some teams that have results included for this week; previous ranking in parentheses):
CIF Division I
1. (1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 23-3
2. (2) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 24-2
3. (3) Santiago (Corona) 27-0
4. (4) Summit (Fontana) 21-3
5. (5) Berkeley 19-2
6. (6) Edison (Huntington Beach) 21-3
7. (7) Brea Olinda (Brea) 20-5
8. (8) Etiwanda 21-3
9. (9) Huntington Beach 21-4
10. (10) Narbonne (Harbor City) 23-6
11. (11) El Toro (Lake Forest) 23-2
12. (12) Troy (Fullerton) 17-7
13. (14) Rialto 23-1
14. (NR) Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 19-7
15. (13) San Diego 21-5
Drops: Previous No. 15 Lincoln (Stockton).
Bubble: Centennial (Corona) 21-6; Deer Valley (Antioch) 17-7, Eastlake (Chula Vista) 23-3, Hanford 19-4, Heritage (Brentwood) 19-4, M.L. King (Riverside) 16-10, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 22-3, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 18-2.
Comments: The very top teams in this division probably won’t get tested until the later rounds of the section playoffs, even the top four who are in the Southern Section. That section, along with the L.A. City, is done for the regular season. Pleasant Grove is this week’s only newcomer. We already know that the Eagles have a win this week over previous No. 15 Lincoln of Stockton, but the Trojans were going to drop anyway due to a different loss last week to St. Francis of Sacramento. Pleasant Grove also has a head-to-head win over San Diego.
There are only four new teams this week in the five CIF divisions combined. Still No. 1 are Mater Dei of Santa Ana (D1), St. Mary’s of Stockton (D2), Bishop O’Dowd (D3), Windward (D4) and Mission Prep (D5).
Beginning this week, state-ranked teams by Cal-Hi Sports can theoretically lose in a section playoff game and see their seasons come to a quick and stunning end.
Most of the state still has one week to go in the regular season, but the massive CIF Southern Section will begin to pare down teams this week.
Here is the third listing of girls teams this season with analysis and bubble teams for each division (records listed after games of Feb. 11 with some teams that have results included for this week; previous ranking in parentheses):
CIF Division I
1. (1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 23-3
2. (2) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 24-2
3. (3) Santiago (Corona) 27-0
4. (4) Summit (Fontana) 21-3
5. (5) Berkeley 19-2
6. (6) Edison (Huntington Beach) 21-3
7. (7) Brea Olinda (Brea) 20-5
8. (8) Etiwanda 21-3
9. (9) Huntington Beach 21-4
10. (10) Narbonne (Harbor City) 23-6
11. (11) El Toro (Lake Forest) 23-2
12. (12) Troy (Fullerton) 17-7
13. (14) Rialto 23-1
14. (NR) Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 19-7
15. (13) San Diego 21-5
Drops: Previous No. 15 Lincoln (Stockton).
Bubble: Centennial (Corona) 21-6; Deer Valley (Antioch) 17-7, Eastlake (Chula Vista) 23-3, Hanford 19-4, Heritage (Brentwood) 19-4, M.L. King (Riverside) 16-10, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 22-3, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 18-2.
Comments: The very top teams in this division probably won’t get tested until the later rounds of the section playoffs, even the top four who are in the Southern Section. That section, along with the L.A. City, is done for the regular season. Pleasant Grove is this week’s only newcomer. We already know that the Eagles have a win this week over previous No. 15 Lincoln of Stockton, but the Trojans were going to drop anyway due to a different loss last week to St. Francis of Sacramento. Pleasant Grove also has a head-to-head win over San Diego.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
Alemany knocks off Chaminade and makes a move into this week’s rankings. The only other change sees St. Mary’s of Stockton and Bishop O’Dowd switching positions with the Rams going up after last Saturday’s win.
This is the time of the season when the cream rises to the top, as the best teams are either in their respective section playoffs, finishing up league play, or in league playoffs in preparation of section playoffs.
The bottom line is at this time of the year there are very few surprises.
Certainly the 76-67 win by St. Mary's of Stockton over Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland last Saturday wasn't really a surprise, considering the last time the three-time defending state champions lost at home was to the Danielle Robinson-led Archbishop Mitty of San Jose team six years ago.
The bottom line was St. Mary's was the better prepared team and executed its game plan of all-out pressing and excellent 3-point shooting perfectly, especially early on.
Courtney Range was dominant in the paint, Charise Holloway converted scoring opportunities, Regina Camera hit from outside and played good defense, and Onome Jemerigbe was a significant contributor on both ends of the court.
The strategy of Coach Tom Gonsalves also successfully got O'Dowd's two big girls, K.C. Waters and Oderah Chidom, in foul trouble early.
Was this the same team that lost 71-52 in early January to La Jolla Country Day?
"We're a much better team than we were then. We're at a different level now," Gonsalves told Cal-Hi Sports after the O'Dowd win.
"We needed this game," said Range, who finished with 21 points and nine rebounds. "In Arizona and against Country Day we didn't play that well. As a team, we needed to prove we could play against good teams."
The only other rumble in the rankings this week occurred toward the bottom where Alemany of Mission Hills won the grudge match of the three games with West Hills Chaminade to reclaim that spot.
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 11)
1. (1) Windward (Los Angeles) 23-3
After the big win over Mater Dei two weeks ago, the Wildcats finished Alpha League play with running-clock victories over Campbell Hall of North Hollywood and crosstown Pacific Hills. No one gets a bye in the 32-team CIF Southern Section Division 4AA playoffs, so the top seed will open at home on Thursday against Nipomo.
Alemany knocks off Chaminade and makes a move into this week’s rankings. The only other change sees St. Mary’s of Stockton and Bishop O’Dowd switching positions with the Rams going up after last Saturday’s win.
This is the time of the season when the cream rises to the top, as the best teams are either in their respective section playoffs, finishing up league play, or in league playoffs in preparation of section playoffs.
The bottom line is at this time of the year there are very few surprises.
Certainly the 76-67 win by St. Mary's of Stockton over Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland last Saturday wasn't really a surprise, considering the last time the three-time defending state champions lost at home was to the Danielle Robinson-led Archbishop Mitty of San Jose team six years ago.
The bottom line was St. Mary's was the better prepared team and executed its game plan of all-out pressing and excellent 3-point shooting perfectly, especially early on.
Courtney Range was dominant in the paint, Charise Holloway converted scoring opportunities, Regina Camera hit from outside and played good defense, and Onome Jemerigbe was a significant contributor on both ends of the court.
The strategy of Coach Tom Gonsalves also successfully got O'Dowd's two big girls, K.C. Waters and Oderah Chidom, in foul trouble early.
Was this the same team that lost 71-52 in early January to La Jolla Country Day?
"We're a much better team than we were then. We're at a different level now," Gonsalves told Cal-Hi Sports after the O'Dowd win.
"We needed this game," said Range, who finished with 21 points and nine rebounds. "In Arizona and against Country Day we didn't play that well. As a team, we needed to prove we could play against good teams."
The only other rumble in the rankings this week occurred toward the bottom where Alemany of Mission Hills won the grudge match of the three games with West Hills Chaminade to reclaim that spot.
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 11)
1. (1) Windward (Los Angeles) 23-3
After the big win over Mater Dei two weeks ago, the Wildcats finished Alpha League play with running-clock victories over Campbell Hall of North Hollywood and crosstown Pacific Hills. No one gets a bye in the 32-team CIF Southern Section Division 4AA playoffs, so the top seed will open at home on Thursday against Nipomo.
Mark Tennis/ESPNHSCourtney Range and Charise Holloway both shined for St. Mary's in big win over Bishop O'Dowd.Special night for longtime L.A. Fremont boys coach Sam Sullivan
Rams beat Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland in matchup of region’s top two teams. Courtney Range, Charise Holloway both star for St. Mary’s.
Since winning a memorable 2009 CIF Division III Northern California title game over Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco, the St. Mary’s of Stockton girls basketball team has for the most part ruled the region.
According to the final Cal-Hi Sports state rankings, the Rams were the top-ranked team in Northern California after winning CIF state titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011, but in order to make it an unprecedented four in a row it was paramount for them to beat visiting Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland on Saturday afternoon at Morelli Gym in Stockton.
Bishop O’Dowd actually came into Saturday’s game as the higher-ranked team at No. 5 in the state and No. 1 in the region. The Dragons also will be in a different state playoff division than St. Mary’s, which meant the winner Saturday would have the rankings edge at the end of the season.
With the home crowd rocking, the Rams buried eight of their first 11 shots from beyond the 3-point line and were successful getting the game into a frantic pace in the first half. The Dragons mounted a fourth quarter comeback, but had to come from too far behind and ended up with a 76-67 defeat.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
Duarte’s Imari Brown rings up quadruple-double for second time this season. Plus, West Adams Prep’s Breanna Murphy, Huntington Beach’s Kelsey Minato and Corona’s Lexci Mack.
Note: We’re proud once again to collect weekly writeups of the most significant individual high school basketball totals in California. We use these as the basis for updating the state record book, which has been published seven times, most recently in the spring of 2009. To report a state stat star of your own, please email highlights to Mark.Tennis@espn.com.
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 4 and some games as of Tuesday, Feb. 7)
Riley Abraham (Rio Mesa, Oxnard)
She was named the Ventura County Star's Girls Athlete of the Week after scoring 21 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in a win over Channel Islands and scored 19 points with 25 rebounds in a 47-39 victory over Pacifica of Oxnard.
Devon Brookshire (Bishop Montgomery, Torrance)
Brookshire was on fire in leading the Knights to just their third Del Rey League win of the season as she scored 35 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 58-53 road win over Bishop Amat of La Puente.
Duarte’s Imari Brown rings up quadruple-double for second time this season. Plus, West Adams Prep’s Breanna Murphy, Huntington Beach’s Kelsey Minato and Corona’s Lexci Mack.
Note: We’re proud once again to collect weekly writeups of the most significant individual high school basketball totals in California. We use these as the basis for updating the state record book, which has been published seven times, most recently in the spring of 2009. To report a state stat star of your own, please email highlights to Mark.Tennis@espn.com.
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 4 and some games as of Tuesday, Feb. 7)
Riley Abraham (Rio Mesa, Oxnard)
She was named the Ventura County Star's Girls Athlete of the Week after scoring 21 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in a win over Channel Islands and scored 19 points with 25 rebounds in a 47-39 victory over Pacifica of Oxnard.
Devon Brookshire (Bishop Montgomery, Torrance)
Brookshire was on fire in leading the Knights to just their third Del Rey League win of the season as she scored 35 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 58-53 road win over Bishop Amat of La Puente.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
No. 1 teams collide Saturday in Stockton when Bishop O’Dowd (Div. III) plays St. Mary’s (Div. II). New No. 2 Lynwood (D2) and new No. 3 Santiago of Corona (D1) among those climbing.
Two No. 1 teams as ranked by Cal-Hi Sports from different CIF divisions met last weekend when Windward of Los Angeles (D4) topped Mater Dei of Santa Ana (D1). This week, it will happen again when St. Mary’s of Stockton (D2) hosts Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland (D4).
All four teams continue to be No. 1 in this week’s divisional state rankings. The other No. 1 is Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo in D5.
Here is the second listing of girls teams this season with analysis and bubble teams for each division (records listed after games of Feb. 4 with some teams that have results included for this week; previous ranking in parentheses):
CIF Division I
1. (1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 21-3
2. (2) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 22-2
3. (5) Santiago (Corona) 25-0
4. (6) Summit (Fontana) 19-3
5. (8) Berkeley 17-2
6. (3) Edison (Huntington Beach) 19-3
7. (4) Brea Olinda (Brea) 18-5
8. (9) Etiwanda 19-3
9. (NR) Huntington Beach 19-4
10. (10) Narbonne (Harbor City) 20-6
11. (12) El Toro (Lake Forest) 22-2
12. (7) Troy (Fullerton) 15-7
13. (13) San Diego 19-5
14. (NR) Rialto 21-1
15. (15) Lincoln (Stockton) 18-3
Drops: Previous No. 11 Centennial (Corona); No. 14 Poly (Riverside).
Bubble: Centennial (Corona) 20-5; Deer Valley (Antioch) 15-6, Eastlake (Chula Vista) 21-3, Hanford 18-4, Heritage (Brentwood) 18-4, Poly (Riverside) 17-7, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 20-3, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 16-2.
Comments: We couldn’t really drop Mater Dei at all in this division after its loss to D4 No. 1 Windward at the Nike Extravaganza. The defeat does have rankings ramifications, though, as it could prevent the Monarchs from a State Team of the Year three-peat. Edison’s loss to Huntington Beach did cause some changes as the Chargers had to fall behind three teams. It also pushed the victorious Oilers past several teams as a newcomer in this week’s rankings all the way up to No. 9.
No. 1 teams collide Saturday in Stockton when Bishop O’Dowd (Div. III) plays St. Mary’s (Div. II). New No. 2 Lynwood (D2) and new No. 3 Santiago of Corona (D1) among those climbing.
Two No. 1 teams as ranked by Cal-Hi Sports from different CIF divisions met last weekend when Windward of Los Angeles (D4) topped Mater Dei of Santa Ana (D1). This week, it will happen again when St. Mary’s of Stockton (D2) hosts Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland (D4).
All four teams continue to be No. 1 in this week’s divisional state rankings. The other No. 1 is Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo in D5.
Here is the second listing of girls teams this season with analysis and bubble teams for each division (records listed after games of Feb. 4 with some teams that have results included for this week; previous ranking in parentheses):
CIF Division I
1. (1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 21-3
2. (2) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 22-2
3. (5) Santiago (Corona) 25-0
4. (6) Summit (Fontana) 19-3
5. (8) Berkeley 17-2
6. (3) Edison (Huntington Beach) 19-3
7. (4) Brea Olinda (Brea) 18-5
8. (9) Etiwanda 19-3
9. (NR) Huntington Beach 19-4
10. (10) Narbonne (Harbor City) 20-6
11. (12) El Toro (Lake Forest) 22-2
12. (7) Troy (Fullerton) 15-7
13. (13) San Diego 19-5
14. (NR) Rialto 21-1
15. (15) Lincoln (Stockton) 18-3
Drops: Previous No. 11 Centennial (Corona); No. 14 Poly (Riverside).
Bubble: Centennial (Corona) 20-5; Deer Valley (Antioch) 15-6, Eastlake (Chula Vista) 21-3, Hanford 18-4, Heritage (Brentwood) 18-4, Poly (Riverside) 17-7, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 20-3, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 16-2.
Comments: We couldn’t really drop Mater Dei at all in this division after its loss to D4 No. 1 Windward at the Nike Extravaganza. The defeat does have rankings ramifications, though, as it could prevent the Monarchs from a State Team of the Year three-peat. Edison’s loss to Huntington Beach did cause some changes as the Chargers had to fall behind three teams. It also pushed the victorious Oilers past several teams as a newcomer in this week’s rankings all the way up to No. 9.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
Major changes this week after the first six due to Orange County and Inland Empire teams falling. Big movers led by Lynwood (now in the top 10), Carondelet and Huntington Beach.
There was a ceremony at halftime of the San Diego Mission Bay at Lynwood game last Saturday night to retire the jersey of current Mission Bay coach Sa’de Wiley-Gatewood, the 2002 Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year who led Lynwood to the CIF Division I state championship that season as a sophomore.
By the time the game was over, despite a 31-point performance by previous State Athlete of the Week Briteesha Solomon, the pupil was schooled by the teacher, as longtime Lynwood coach Ellis Barfield and his Lady Knights breezed to a 70-51 victory over the Bucs.
Cal-Hi SportsSa'de Wiley-Gatewood, who had her No. 15 retired last weekend when her Mission Bay team lost to Lynwood, led the Lady Knights to the 2002 FAB 50 national title. It’s been a while since Barfield, now in his 19th season at Lynwood, has had a team in the spotlight.
The 2003 team with Wiley-Gatewood as a junior got Barfield his third CIF Division I state championship, but since then, while they’ve been taking care of business in the San Gabriel Valley League and making some noise in the CIFSS playoffs, it hasn’t been until this year that Barfield has had a team capable of making a run to Sacramento.
Plus, with the new Southern Section playoff format based on enrollment and performance over the past four years, Lynwood is now Division II and avoids the crowded D1 bracket.
Like his teams of old, Barfield has a lot of girls that can play, with seven of them averaging over five points a game.
“We have a lot of kids under the radar that don’t know how good they are,” Barfield said.
Barfield has coached senior point guard Shahana Zeigler (8.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 assists, 2.4 steals) since sixth grade. Versatile 6-foot senior Jolana Ford can play any of the positions down low. Amber Blockmon, a 6-foot-2 junior, is long, slender and quick, and she can hit the outside shot. According to Barfield, she’s getting a lot of looks from colleges.
“Putting the kids in college, that’s what keeps me here,” Barfield told Cal-Hi Sports.
Unfortunately, due to a tragic loss to the California girls basketball community, the start time of Saturday’s jersey ceremony and game with Mission Bay had to be pushed back to accommodate a memorial service for former Long Beach Poly star Judith Smith. Smith recently passed away at the age of 25 after battling health issues for several years.
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 4)
1. (1) Windward (Los Angeles) 21-3
The Wildcats proved on the court they are deserving of top billing in California after winning 65-62 at No. 2 Mater Dei in the Nike Extravaganza on Friday night in Santa Ana. That makes it two straight weeks the Wildcats have beaten a California heavyweight after the close win over Long Beach Poly. Macchi Smith, the hero of the victory over Poly, came through again. The sophomore guard had a team-high 16 points, including a rebound and putback off a missed free-throw by Imani Stafford with 26 seconds left that pretty much sealed the deal. The Wildcats now finish up Alpha League play and then the CIFSS playoffs, but at this point it’s hard not to look ahead to a Division IV SoCal showdown with La Jolla Country Day.
Major changes this week after the first six due to Orange County and Inland Empire teams falling. Big movers led by Lynwood (now in the top 10), Carondelet and Huntington Beach.
There was a ceremony at halftime of the San Diego Mission Bay at Lynwood game last Saturday night to retire the jersey of current Mission Bay coach Sa’de Wiley-Gatewood, the 2002 Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year who led Lynwood to the CIF Division I state championship that season as a sophomore.
By the time the game was over, despite a 31-point performance by previous State Athlete of the Week Briteesha Solomon, the pupil was schooled by the teacher, as longtime Lynwood coach Ellis Barfield and his Lady Knights breezed to a 70-51 victory over the Bucs.
Cal-Hi SportsSa'de Wiley-Gatewood, who had her No. 15 retired last weekend when her Mission Bay team lost to Lynwood, led the Lady Knights to the 2002 FAB 50 national title. The 2003 team with Wiley-Gatewood as a junior got Barfield his third CIF Division I state championship, but since then, while they’ve been taking care of business in the San Gabriel Valley League and making some noise in the CIFSS playoffs, it hasn’t been until this year that Barfield has had a team capable of making a run to Sacramento.
Plus, with the new Southern Section playoff format based on enrollment and performance over the past four years, Lynwood is now Division II and avoids the crowded D1 bracket.
Like his teams of old, Barfield has a lot of girls that can play, with seven of them averaging over five points a game.
“We have a lot of kids under the radar that don’t know how good they are,” Barfield said.
Barfield has coached senior point guard Shahana Zeigler (8.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 assists, 2.4 steals) since sixth grade. Versatile 6-foot senior Jolana Ford can play any of the positions down low. Amber Blockmon, a 6-foot-2 junior, is long, slender and quick, and she can hit the outside shot. According to Barfield, she’s getting a lot of looks from colleges.
“Putting the kids in college, that’s what keeps me here,” Barfield told Cal-Hi Sports.
Unfortunately, due to a tragic loss to the California girls basketball community, the start time of Saturday’s jersey ceremony and game with Mission Bay had to be pushed back to accommodate a memorial service for former Long Beach Poly star Judith Smith. Smith recently passed away at the age of 25 after battling health issues for several years.
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 4)
1. (1) Windward (Los Angeles) 21-3
The Wildcats proved on the court they are deserving of top billing in California after winning 65-62 at No. 2 Mater Dei in the Nike Extravaganza on Friday night in Santa Ana. That makes it two straight weeks the Wildcats have beaten a California heavyweight after the close win over Long Beach Poly. Macchi Smith, the hero of the victory over Poly, came through again. The sophomore guard had a team-high 16 points, including a rebound and putback off a missed free-throw by Imani Stafford with 26 seconds left that pretty much sealed the deal. The Wildcats now finish up Alpha League play and then the CIFSS playoffs, but at this point it’s hard not to look ahead to a Division IV SoCal showdown with La Jolla Country Day.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
She’s only 5-foot-7, but Workman’s Evelyn Herrera plays with a gigantic heart and has overcome a lot to become one of the state’s leading scorers.
It’s not often a 5-foot-7 girls basketball player gets credit for invigorating a community, particularly a girl who has only been in town less than two years, but that’s what Evelyn Herrera from Workman of the City of Industry has done.
Not only has Evelyn energized the atmosphere at Workman, she’s living proof that big things really do come in small packages and has literally put the girls basketball program on the map.
Last week, in a 71-30 victory over Bassett of La Puente, Herrera had 29 points, 10 steals and eight assists. She also had 26 points and eight rebounds in a 69-45 triumph against Sierra Vista of Baldwin Park.
It was the 11th straight and 20th overall game this season the CIF Southern Section’s second-leading scorer has been over 20 points for the Lobos, who were 18-4 heading into this week.
Now, for performances all season on the court and in school, plus for overcoming extreme adversity, the young woman, who along with her mother and brother moved to City of Industry to escape the turmoil of East Los Angeles, has been named the ESPNHS Cal-Hi Sports State Athlete of the Week.
She’s only 5-foot-7, but Workman’s Evelyn Herrera plays with a gigantic heart and has overcome a lot to become one of the state’s leading scorers.
It’s not often a 5-foot-7 girls basketball player gets credit for invigorating a community, particularly a girl who has only been in town less than two years, but that’s what Evelyn Herrera from Workman of the City of Industry has done.
Not only has Evelyn energized the atmosphere at Workman, she’s living proof that big things really do come in small packages and has literally put the girls basketball program on the map.
Last week, in a 71-30 victory over Bassett of La Puente, Herrera had 29 points, 10 steals and eight assists. She also had 26 points and eight rebounds in a 69-45 triumph against Sierra Vista of Baldwin Park.
It was the 11th straight and 20th overall game this season the CIF Southern Section’s second-leading scorer has been over 20 points for the Lobos, who were 18-4 heading into this week.
Now, for performances all season on the court and in school, plus for overcoming extreme adversity, the young woman, who along with her mother and brother moved to City of Industry to escape the turmoil of East Los Angeles, has been named the ESPNHS Cal-Hi Sports State Athlete of the Week.
Cajon High SchoolDejaunee Brooks isn't the top scorer for Cajon of San Bernardino, but is averaging a triple-double so far for this season.Tehachapi’s Cory Lange nets a 45-point game, then does even better with 48.
Another boy to score 48 last week was L.A. Franklin’s Zachary Hinton.
For the girls, triple-doubles were the story with one player – Cajon’s Dejaunee Brooks – who is now averaging a triple-double.
Note: We’re proud once again to collect weekly writeups of the most significant individual high school basketball totals in California. We use these as the basis for updating the state record book, which has been published seven times, most recently in the spring of 2009. To report a state stat star of your own, please email highlights to Mark.Tennis@espn.com.
(After games of Saturday, Jan. 28 and some games as of Tuesday, Jan. 31)
Boys Basketball
Joel Anderson (Banning, Wilmington)
For the ninth time this season, Anderson scored at least 30 points in a game and he finished with just that in a 72-52 Marine League win over King-Drew. Earlier in the week, he scored 34 points in a 59-44 win for the Pilots over Carson.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
Four of the No. 1 teams in our first statewide look at each CIF state playoff division are all in the top five overall. The only suspense was in D5 where Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo is No. 1 for now.
Mater Dei of Santa Ana, St. Mary’s of Stockton, Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland, Windward of Los Angeles and Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo have been given No. 1 rankings in the first Cal-Hi Sports girls basketball rankings this season according to the CIF state playoff divisions.
Here is the first listing of girls teams this season with analysis and bubble teams for each division (records listed after games of Jan. 28 with some teams that have results included for this week):
CIF Division I
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 20-2
2. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 20-2
3. Edison (Huntington Beach) 18-2
4. Brea Olinda (Brea) 16-4
5. Santiago (Corona) 22-0
6. Summit (Fontana) 17-3
7. Troy (Fullerton) 13-6
8. Berkeley 16-2
9. Etiwanda 16-3
10. Narbonne (Harbor City) 18-6
11. Centennial (Corona) 18-4
12. El Toro (Lake Forest) 21-2
13. San Diego 17-5
14. Poly (Riverside) 17-5
15. Lincoln (Stockton) 16-3
Bubble: Deer Valley (Antioch) 13-6, Hanford 16-3, Heritage (Brentwood) 17-3, Millikan (Long Beach) 15-6, Poway 17-4, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 18-3, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 16-1.
Comments: Other than Summit, all of the CIF Southern Section teams in the top 10 above will be in the loaded Div. IAA playoffs. Mater Dei plays D4 No. 1 Windward on Friday at the Nike Extravaganza in a game that also will be No. 1 vs. No. 2 for the state. And if both team win CIF state crowns, remember that the outcome of this game also will probably decide the ESPNHS Cal-Hi Sports State Team of the Year honor.
Four of the No. 1 teams in our first statewide look at each CIF state playoff division are all in the top five overall. The only suspense was in D5 where Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo is No. 1 for now.
Mater Dei of Santa Ana, St. Mary’s of Stockton, Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland, Windward of Los Angeles and Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo have been given No. 1 rankings in the first Cal-Hi Sports girls basketball rankings this season according to the CIF state playoff divisions.
Here is the first listing of girls teams this season with analysis and bubble teams for each division (records listed after games of Jan. 28 with some teams that have results included for this week):
CIF Division I
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 20-2
2. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 20-2
3. Edison (Huntington Beach) 18-2
4. Brea Olinda (Brea) 16-4
5. Santiago (Corona) 22-0
6. Summit (Fontana) 17-3
7. Troy (Fullerton) 13-6
8. Berkeley 16-2
9. Etiwanda 16-3
10. Narbonne (Harbor City) 18-6
11. Centennial (Corona) 18-4
12. El Toro (Lake Forest) 21-2
13. San Diego 17-5
14. Poly (Riverside) 17-5
15. Lincoln (Stockton) 16-3
Bubble: Deer Valley (Antioch) 13-6, Hanford 16-3, Heritage (Brentwood) 17-3, Millikan (Long Beach) 15-6, Poway 17-4, Stockdale (Bakersfield) 18-3, Wilcox (Santa Clara) 16-1.
Comments: Other than Summit, all of the CIF Southern Section teams in the top 10 above will be in the loaded Div. IAA playoffs. Mater Dei plays D4 No. 1 Windward on Friday at the Nike Extravaganza in a game that also will be No. 1 vs. No. 2 for the state. And if both team win CIF state crowns, remember that the outcome of this game also will probably decide the ESPNHS Cal-Hi Sports State Team of the Year honor.
Important announcement from Cal-Hi Sports | Archived Cal-Hi Sports content
No. 1 Windward doesn’t think of itself as being state’s best heading into Saturday matchup with No. 2 Mater Dei. “They’re No. 1,” says Windward coach Steve Smith. This week’s only newcomers, by the way, are St. Ignatius of San Francisco and Lynwood.
Last Saturday’s marquee game of the eight-team Real Run Classic at Long Beach City College featured state No. 1 Windward of Los Angeles against No. 3 Long Beach Poly and as one would expect it went down to the wire with Windward holding on for a 54-53 win.
After opening a 51-42 lead with 3:45 left, Windward saw it evaporate after an 11-1 Jackrabbit run gave Poly a 53-52 advantage with 1:28 remaining.
Three lead changes later, Macchiati Smith hit a left-handed running layup with 11.5 seconds remaining for the game-winner.
Even after the sophomore’s basket, the game was far from over. The Wildcats used a foul at the seven-second mark. Courtney Jaco then forced a jump ball with 1.4 seconds remaining. With the 6-foot-7 Imani Stafford defending the inbounds and forcing a pass out beyond the arc, a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer by Poly’s Justyce Dawson clanked off the rim.
Jordin Canada dazzled the Long Beach City College crowd with a game-high 22 points and four assists.
Sophomore Arica Carter paced the Jackrabbits with 18 points while Destiny King scored 16 and added five steals and four rebounds.
The reward for coach Steve Smith and his girls is a road game at No. 2 Mater Dei where the state’s top spot will be at stake in a much-anticipated game Friday at the Nike Extravaganza in Santa Ana.
“It’s just like boxing. You have to knock out the champion,” Smith told Cal-Hi Sports.
“Hey, I saw them destroy Poly by 42 points in a game during fall when they were healthy,” Smith continued. “We may be the top-ranked team right now, but until someone in-state beats Mater Dei they’re number one in the state.”
Smith has a point. The Monarchs also have been State Team of the Year for 2010 and 2011.
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(After games of Saturday, Jan. 28)
1. (1) Windward (Los Angeles) 18-3
Prior to the win against Long Beach Poly, the Wildcats had a running clock win over crosstown Pacific Hills. Sophomore 6-foot Kristen Simon had a double-double 21 points and 10 rebounds. This week, before taking on Mater Dei, the girls have two Alpha League games at nearby Brentwood and at home against Chatsworth Sierra Canyon.
No. 1 Windward doesn’t think of itself as being state’s best heading into Saturday matchup with No. 2 Mater Dei. “They’re No. 1,” says Windward coach Steve Smith. This week’s only newcomers, by the way, are St. Ignatius of San Francisco and Lynwood.
Last Saturday’s marquee game of the eight-team Real Run Classic at Long Beach City College featured state No. 1 Windward of Los Angeles against No. 3 Long Beach Poly and as one would expect it went down to the wire with Windward holding on for a 54-53 win.
After opening a 51-42 lead with 3:45 left, Windward saw it evaporate after an 11-1 Jackrabbit run gave Poly a 53-52 advantage with 1:28 remaining.
Three lead changes later, Macchiati Smith hit a left-handed running layup with 11.5 seconds remaining for the game-winner.
Even after the sophomore’s basket, the game was far from over. The Wildcats used a foul at the seven-second mark. Courtney Jaco then forced a jump ball with 1.4 seconds remaining. With the 6-foot-7 Imani Stafford defending the inbounds and forcing a pass out beyond the arc, a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer by Poly’s Justyce Dawson clanked off the rim.
Jordin Canada dazzled the Long Beach City College crowd with a game-high 22 points and four assists.
Sophomore Arica Carter paced the Jackrabbits with 18 points while Destiny King scored 16 and added five steals and four rebounds.
The reward for coach Steve Smith and his girls is a road game at No. 2 Mater Dei where the state’s top spot will be at stake in a much-anticipated game Friday at the Nike Extravaganza in Santa Ana.
“It’s just like boxing. You have to knock out the champion,” Smith told Cal-Hi Sports.
“Hey, I saw them destroy Poly by 42 points in a game during fall when they were healthy,” Smith continued. “We may be the top-ranked team right now, but until someone in-state beats Mater Dei they’re number one in the state.”
Smith has a point. The Monarchs also have been State Team of the Year for 2010 and 2011.
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(After games of Saturday, Jan. 28)
1. (1) Windward (Los Angeles) 18-3
Prior to the win against Long Beach Poly, the Wildcats had a running clock win over crosstown Pacific Hills. Sophomore 6-foot Kristen Simon had a double-double 21 points and 10 rebounds. This week, before taking on Mater Dei, the girls have two Alpha League games at nearby Brentwood and at home against Chatsworth Sierra Canyon.
Pasadena PolyMichelle Miller is averaging 32 points per game for her team and is moving up all-time state career scoring list.Miramonte’s Loutzenhiser makes 10 3-pointers while Pasadena Poly’s Michelle Miller pours in season-high 52 points
Tallest boys player in state history gets 30 points, 15 rebounds, 8 blocks
Note: We’re proud once again to collect weekly writeups of the most significant individual high school basketball totals in California. We use these as the basis for updating the state record book, which has been published seven times, most recently in the spring of 2009. To report a state stat star of your own, please email highlights to Mark.Tennis@espn.com.
(After games of Saturday, Jan. 21 and some games as of Tuesday, Jan. 24)
Boys Basketball
David Ahern (Marin Catholic, Kentfield)
The Wildcat senior makes a return to this feature after scoring a career-high 37 points but it wasn’t enough in a 63-52 loss to arch-rival Drake of San Anselmo.
Brandon Baker (Crenshaw, Los Angeles)
With first-place on the line in the Coliseum League. Baker scored a team-high 32 points as the Cougars picked up a narrow 68-67 win over Dorsey in the final seconds of the game.
DYESTAT MEET CENTRAL
Get the latest Track & XC meet results and rankings from California.